Govt working to introduce retirement benefits for journos: Swapan

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said the government is working towards introducing a retirement allowance to ensure financial security for senior journalists, reports UNB.

He made the remarks while visiting ailing journalist Ismail Hossain Negaban at Bangladesh Medical University in the capital on Saturday.

"As the issue of financial insecurity among senior journalists has long been neglected, the current government has undertaken initiatives to introduce retirement benefits, enabling journalists to maintain dignity and financial stability in their later years," said the minister.

He said although the media is widely regarded as the fourth pillar of a modern democratic state, journalists frequently work without adequate institutional protection, leaving them in uncertain conditions.

"Journalism is a very important and respected profession. But unfortunately many senior journalists spend the final stage of their lives in financial hardship. The government is working towards addressing this situation," he said.